10 July 2008
The most comprehensive ever study of NHS maternity services has found that mothers and babies at Jessop Wing Women’s Unit which is part of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust enjoy excellent care.
In a detailed review of UK Hospital Maternity Units published today by the independent Healthcare Commission, Jessop Wing has been ranked as one of the country’s ‘Better performing’ Maternity Units.
For the first time ever, prospective mothers can compare details of how their local maternity unit measures up. The review took into account 25 different factors - including staffing levels, numbers of midwives and consultants, the mothers' own views about standards of care, and the welfare of mothers and babies.
The review covers the care provided from the time when pregnant women first access maternity services to their sign-off by the midwife - usually around 10 days after the birth. It also includes the views of 279 women who had given birth at the Jessop Wing.
Results showed that:
92% of women rated the care they received during their pregnancy as 'excellent', 'very good' or 'good.' The national average was 89%.
93% of women rated the care they received during their labour and birth as 'excellent', 'very good' or 'good'. The national average was 89%.
83% of women rated the care they received after the birth of their baby as 'excellent', 'very good' or 'good'. The national average was 80%.
83% of women said that during the labour and birth of their baby, they were always treated with respect and dignity. The national average was 79%.
82% of women said that during the labour and birth, they were always treated with kindness and understanding. The national average was 77%.
Kathryn Chadwick from Sheffield gave birth to her baby daughter Abigail at the Jessop Wing last year;
"I would agree wholeheartedly with the view that services here are excellent, from the time when I found out I was expecting right up until now I have had nothing but a wonderful experience. The staff are fantastic."
Hilary Scholefield, Chief Nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "I am not surprised that mums and the Healthcare Commission have rated our services so highly because all of our maternity staff are passionate about the care that they give to mothers, fathers and their babies and the Unit prides itself on giving a professional high quality caring service.